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2

Hi FarhanMuree is a beautiful place ,I still miss it.
I agree with all comments mentioned before. Definitely put your place on Google . So visitors can spot it quickly if guests are not coming through booking.com.
Points if interest around your place and your knowledge of surroundings will be beneficial to guests.
Safety tips .
A clean ,comfortable place, warm welcome, pre/post/ during stay communication is a key of hospitality.
You can arrange discount vouchers/codes from local restaurant/guides/ horse riding/souvenier shop etc. So you can promote them too and guests can make most of their trip.
Tea bags, coffee ,milk and water bottle will be great in the kitchen.
All the best for your ventures.

I had a bad incident, Apparently, an overseas caring husband booked through booking.com for wife on his card so the card wasn't present at check-in. He was joining her later on.

Reminders and reminders were sent to see them to confirm card but it took 6days and when we gained access to the apartment it was ruined. Payment on the stolen card was called back. We didn't have husband/main guest ID either.

Shock in 1st year. Loss of earnings, damages, and Trust.

We learned our lesson a hard way.

Now we check all cards at check-in along with photo ID. Especially when guests address doesn't match with card transaction.

We keep picture of ID until check out.

we keep Transaction receipt for 1 month.

Booking.com can take rent on our behalf but then guests show up without means to pay a deposit. It wastes time and ends with the low review score.

8 months ago

2

Totally agree with Karlad. no shows are killers in absence of card facility.

Booking.com has taking payment themselves and then pass on to host after 1 month. You have to deal yourself with deposit and any extras. In this case, at least your rent is guaranteed in your pocket.

This facility is not available everywhere. Worth giving them a call and discuss.

You can also ask the guest to pay in your bank/Paypal ....days before arrival. Keep this account separate for business transactions only.

You have to add in your policy for rent to be paid so many days(mine is 5 days) before arrival. It gives me time to cancel and get another guest if required. Its a hassle but helped me reducing no-shows /bogus bookings.

You will learn all the tricks with the passage of time.

8 months ago

2

Same here guys . I am trying to re decorate and find some bargains for coming year. Of course will enjoy time off and re charge my human battery. All the best for coming year .

8 months ago

2

Totally agree with Michael and M Adamapoulou. This forum has become a TREASURE and very helpful.I really benefited myself with linen ironing tips.
Thank you all Treasure Makers keep posting words of wisdom.

8 months ago

2

Very useful tips from you guys.We have just introduced self check in at our 2 locations. Once payment for rent and deposit is clear . We ask our guests to send us photo ID and then send them a details with locker code. Also some pictures and small video.
It's really help ful . It save time for waiting and paying out to staff.
As we don't have a main desk and our apartments are located in different locations. So can't be every where most of the time.
Booking.com staff try their best to call international guests to find out about check in time but mostly guests don't reply to incoming calls to avoid charges.
So we use self check in service and staff can meet them later on if required.
I find it helpful specially when guests book on the door step of apartment. We don't use this service for local bookings and group booking to avoid any incidents.

8 months ago

2

I have been to this stage Nicola and can understand your pain.We do send a welcome message with a note that deposit will be affected if more than booked guests found at the apartment. We also put a lock on bedroom not required.
Taking a deposit has solved a lot of issues. Still struggling with 1 person booking but couple stays . Can't think of anything at the moment as we offer double bed for 1 or couple.
All the best.

8 months ago

2

As MIchael Beatson said for messy guests. We had the same experiences but almost dealt with it.

We do mention in our welcome message and check out message a night before checkout

To leave the apartment tidy to avoid any extra cleaning fee.

It's been better since.

We all learn from our experiences and this forum is a great platform to learn from each other.